Office of the Premier

Hockey Canada, on behalf of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), has announced the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship will return to British Columbia. The Site Selection Committee awarded the tournament to the Province of B.C. and BC Hockey in a live press conference from Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
Read More

More from the Premier

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson is leading a delegation of more than 25 senior executives from B.C.'s forest companies and associations to Japan and China.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Protecting lands, water and the natural world. That’s the overarching mission of the Gitanyow stewardship guardians and, for the past five years, the guardians have been monitoring fish, wildlife, hunting activities and environmental impacts in Gitanyow traditional territory.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Advanced Education

Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow as a result of a $13.8-million investment in the College of New Caledonia for a new heavy-mechanical trades-training facility.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Agriculture

As B.C. wines continue to be recognized for their quality and distinction, wine lovers are looking for more details to distinguish where the wine they enjoy is produced, and the B.C. government is providing those assurances.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Children and Family Development

A final report from the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s special advisor provides 85 recommendations to overhaul British Columbia’s Indigenous child welfare system and improve outcomes for Indigenous children and youth by changing focus from intervention and separation to strengthening families.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Community, Sport and Cultural Development

Hockey Canada, on behalf of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), has announced the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship will return to British Columbia. The Site Selection Committee awarded the tournament to the Province of B.C. and BC Hockey in a live press conference from Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Energy and Mines

With the holiday season underway, it’s important to remember that many of the gifts British Columbians will purchase this year have a homegrown connection to B.C. resources such as minerals and steelmaking coal.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Environment

The Province will build on its world-renowned provincial parks system by hiring more park rangers to enhance conservation, improving services for persons with disabilities and launching a new BC Parks Foundation so community groups, businesses and individuals can come together and have a voice in BC Parks priorities.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Finance

British Columbia’s Second Quarterly Report continues to forecast increased revenues and reduced debt, demonstrating that government’s ongoing fiscal prudence, economic diversification and debt reduction continue to have a positive impact on the provincial economy.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Health

In response to the increasing number of overdose-related deaths, the Province is opening additional health-care supports in partnership with health authorities and community partners. Supports include stationing the BC Mobile Medical Unit and setting up overdose prevention sites at overdose hot spots.
Read More

More from this Ministry

International Trade

The B.C. government’s commitment in the #BCTECH Strategy to improve access to capital is paying off as B.C. tech companies are taking advantage of the Province’s venture capital programs to reach new levels of growth.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training

Up to 200 people in Greater Vancouver are receiving the training they need for jobs in their communities, thanks to the federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Justice

Government is acting to ensure greater safety and protection of those experiencing or are at risk of family violence, by using professional process servers for delivery of protection orders at no cost to applicants, in all regions of the province.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Natural Gas Development

As cooler weather moves in throughout the province, communities have almost 1,000 extreme weather shelter beds ready to be activated if conditions threaten the health and safety of homeless individuals.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Small Business and Red Tape Reduction

‘Tis the season of dinner parties, office gatherings, and holiday festivities! While it is important to enjoy the holiday season with friends and family, BC Liquor Stores throughout the province have an important message for British Columbians: Good hosts don’t let guests drink and drive.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services

The B.C. government’s commitment in the #BCTECH Strategy to improve access to capital is paying off as B.C. tech companies are taking advantage of the Province’s venture capital programs to reach new levels of growth.
Read More

More from this Ministry

Economy

With the holiday season underway, it’s important to remember that many of the gifts British Columbians will purchase this year have a homegrown connection to B.C. resources such as minerals and steelmaking coal.
Read More

More from this Sector

Government Operations

With the holiday season in full swing, the Government of B.C. is reminding British Columbians to celebrate safely and make good decisions when riding in limousines, including limo buses, during celebrations.
Read More

More from this Sector

Services

More than 60 teachers from the Lower Mainland gathered at the Microsoft Centre of Excellence in downtown Vancouver to learn basic coding techniques from some of the best instructors in the industry – all to make sure B.C. students have the skills they need to succeed in today’s changing world.
Read More

Contact

Children and Family Development

A final report from the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s special advisor provides 85 recommendations to overhaul British Columbia’s Indigenous child welfare system and improve outcomes for Indigenous children and youth by changing focus from intervention and separation to strengthening families.
Read More

Featured Topics

Featured Services

VICTORIA - Families in 28 communities throughout B.C. will benefit from 1,006 new licensed child-care spaces, announced Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux and Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad today at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

In May 2014, the Province encouraged child-care providers throughout the province to apply for major capital funding to create new licensed child-care spaces for B.C. kids. As a result of this process, 32 child-care providers are receiving a total of $7 million to create new spaces in their communities.

This is the first phase of child-care major capital funding, which allows non-profit and private child-care organizations to:

Build a new child care facility, including the cost of buying land or a building.

Assemble a modular building and develop a site.

Renovate an existing building.

Buy eligible equipment (including playground equipment) and furnishings to support new child-care spaces in an existing facility.

As stated in the criteria outlined as part of the application process, priority was given to applications to create child-care spaces in underserved areas of B.C. - such as Surrey, Fort St. John and Langford - and on school grounds, where children can smoothly transition from early years’ programs, to the classroom, to after-school care. The organizations receiving funding from the first intake period will create 447 child-care spaces on school grounds and a further 559 child-care spaces in other facilities, two of which are BC Early Years Centres, thus creating a comprehensive one-stop shop for parents looking to access early years services and supports.

The Province is now in the process of working with the successful proponents to sign project agreements that include the specific requirements that providers have identified for each site, such as the need to lease or buy property, obtain local zoning permits and hire contractors to renovate the sites. Construction and renovations for the majority of the approved projects are expected to begin shortly; however, each site’s timelines for completion will differ depending on their individual proposal requirements.

In addition to these 1,000 new spaces, the Province aims to support the creation of an additional 1,000 spaces under the B.C. Early Years Strategy by March 2016. This builds on the approximately 107,000 spaces that government currently supports throughout B.C. The Province will accept applications for the next phase of child-care major capital funding starting early in the new year.

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

“This government understands the importance, and challenges, of finding high-quality, affordable child care in B.C. Under the B.C. Early Years Strategy, we committed to supporting the creation of 1,000 new child-care spaces by March 2015, and these spaces deliver on that commitment. This is a first step toward the 13,000 new licensed spaces the strategy will support over the next eight years.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“New child-care spaces at facilities like the Victoria Native Friendship Centre are another way the government is investing in early childhood development and early-learning programs. Quality care in a child’s formative years is tied to healthy development later in life, and we are committed to making that care accessible and affordable to all families and communities across B.C.”

Wayne Robertson, chair, Provincial Child Care Council -

“It’s an exciting time for parents and children in these communities, knowing that these projects are moving forward. When completed, these new licensed child-care spaces will fill areas of need and help give families more options for quality and affordable child care.”

“This investment builds on the B.C. government’s ORAAP Throne Speech commitment to improve social and economic outcomes for urban Aboriginal Peoples, and on the BCAAFC’s 5x5 Aboriginal Jobs plan. The 5x5 Jobs plan seeks to increase the delivery of Aboriginal child care through Friendship Centres in order to remove barriers to participation in the economy for Aboriginal Peoples.”

Quick Facts:

The B.C. Early Years Strategy is an eight-year government commitment to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of early-years programs and services for families with young children.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development also provides child-care subsidies to help low-income families afford child care - helping approximately 45,000 children each year.

To make child care more affordable for families, government is introducing the B.C. Early Childhood Tax Benefit starting in 2015. The benefit will provide $146 million annually to approximately 180,000 families with children under the age of six years (up to $660 a year per child).

The Early Years Strategy builds on the $1 billion per year government spends on early learning and childhood development initiatives, services and supports, including:

Success by 6®, Children First and Aboriginal early childhood development programs.

Full-day kindergarten.

Programs that support healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy.

Early childhood development care and learning program investments, including public health nursing, Ready, Set, Learn programs and StrongStart BC early learning programs.

A variety of programs, services and supports to address the specific needs of children and youth with special needs.

The Victoria Native Friendship Centre is receiving $495,900 to create 70 spaces for Aboriginal, First Nations and Métis children, and children with special needs at the new XaXe Stelitkel Daycare Centre.

For more information on the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, visit: www.vnfc.ca/home

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public EngagementMinistry of Children and Family Development250 356-1553250 213-5572

BACKGROUNDER

B.C. communities receive 1,006 new child-care spaces

This backgrounder contains more information on the 32 organizations that are sharing $7 million in major capital funding to create a total of 1,006 new child-care spaces in B.C. Funding for the new spaces has been allocated based on the following criteria:

Non-profit child-care providers are eligible to receive up $500,000.

Private providers can receive up to $250,000.

Projects creating new licensed child-care spaces on school grounds will be eligible to receive up to 90% of the total project cost (applicants will be responsible for the remaining 10%); all other projects will be eligible to receive up to 75% (applicants will be responsible for the remaining 25%).

Not every project application is for the maximum provincial investment, as their projects may be smaller or their costs may be lower (e.g., family providers).

The actual costs-per-space varies due to a range of factors, including the type of space being built and the community profile.

For example, a family child-care provider could potentially build new spaces for approximately $500/space, while a group-care provider located in a rural/remote community could potentially have a higher cost per space.

More information on each project will be available once project agreements have been finalized.

The Simon Fraser University Childcare Society is receiving $500,000 to create 24 spaces for school-aged children at the SFU Child Care Centre.

Chilliwack

The Montessori Child Growth Society is receiving $20,780 for 64 spaces at a Justice Institute of BC facility - 12 infant/toddler spaces, 16 spaces for children aged three to five years, 18 school-aged spaces and 18 preschool spaces.

The Golden Community Resources Society is receiving $500,000 to create new spaces at the Golden Early Learning and Care Centre, located on the grounds of Alexander Park Elementary school. The 37 new spaces include 12 infant/toddler spaces and 25 spaces for children aged three to five years.

Harrison Hot Springs

Harrison Hot Springs Preschool and Childcare is receiving $89,638 to create 20 spaces - 10 infant/toddler spaces and 10 spaces for children aged three to five years.

The Windy Willows Environmental Centre is receiving $26,875 to create 20 spaces for children aged three to five years.

Revelstoke

Community Connections is receiving $45,120 to create 24 spaces for children aged three to five years at Jumping Jacks Daycare - 16 spaces will be created during the first year of operations, with the remaining eight following the next year.

Richmond

The Trinity Lutheran Church is receiving $47,236 to create 25 spaces for children aged three to five years at the Trinity's Little Children child-care centre on the church ground.

The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is receiving a total of $646,860 for two projects:

$500,000 to create 36 spaces at the Sechelt Learning Centre - 12 infant/toddler spaces and 24 spaces for children aged three to five years. These new spaces will be part of the satellite BC Early Years Centre on the site.

$146,860 to create 24 spaces at the Gibsons Elementary school - 8 infant/toddler spaces and 16 for children aged three to five years. These new spaces will be part of the new BC Early Years Centre on the site.

Surrey

The Centre for Child Development of the Lower Mainland is receiving $500,000 to create 37 group multi-age spaces at the Centre for Child Development Preschool.

Little Scholars Learning Academy is receiving $170,795 for 36 spaces - 12 infant/toddler spaces and 24 spaces for children aged three to five years.

Little Timbers Family Childcare is receiving $7,975 to create eight group multi-age spaces.

Terrace

Willow Creek Childcare is receiving a total of $424,555 - $250,000 to create 48 before/after school-care spaces and $174,555 for a total of 13 spaces (12 infant/toddler spaces and one space for aged three to five years).

Trail

The Sunningdale Children’s Centre is receiving $111,143 to create 36 spaces at their Sunningdale Children's Academy - 12 infant/toddler spaces and 24 spaces for children aged three to five years.

Vancouver

The Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC is receiving $488,295 for 25 spaces at Bumble Bear Daycare for children aged three to five years.

The West Coast Christian Fellowship is receiving $397,581 to create 40 spaces - 20 before/after school-care spaces at East Village Out-of-School Care and 20 preschool spaces at East Village Preschool.

Sunshine Coast

The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is receiving a total of $646,860 for two projects:

$500,000 to create 36 spaces at Gibsons Elementary school - 12 infant/toddler spaces and 24 spaces for children aged three to five years. These new spaces will be part of the new BC Early Years Centre on the site.

$146,860 to create 24 spaces at the Sechelt Learning Centre - eight infant/toddler spaces and 16 for children aged three to five years. These new spaces will be part of the satellite BC Early Years Centre on the site.

Victoria

Bloom Montessori is receiving $127,500 to create 40 spaces for children aged three to five years.

The Victoria Native Friendship Centre is receiving $495,900 to create 70 spaces for Aboriginal, First Nations and Métis children, and children with special needs at XaXe Stelitkel Daycare Centre - 20 infant/toddler spaces and 50 group multi-age spaces.

Wells

The Wells and Area Community Association will receive $21,794 for 24 group multi-age spaces at Huckleberry Daycare, which is on the grounds of Wells-Barkerville Elementary school.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public EngagementMinistry of Children and Family Development250 356-1553250 213-5572